With the new Entrecard + SezWho deal there are many WordPress users out there who are overwhelmed by trying to figure out how to customize SezWho and get it working properly on their blog.
I was one of those people. I looked over the WordPress plugin for hours, not just within the admin section but through the actual PHP files. I ran into problems such as not being able to customize the ‘Who am I?’ link correctly and the misplacement of the user avatars within posts. I searched for the answers and found others just like me who are having problems, with the addition of those having problems with the sidebar widget.
I headed over to the SezWho website in search of answers. I couldn’t find anything. I finally decided it was my fault. That I was obviously doing something wrong. I headed over to the download page and clicked on the WordPress plugin. Low and behold, at the bottom of the page is a link to “SezWho template modification example“.
Why you should manually install SezWho:
If you head to the page you will see a generic WordPress template with highlighted code. You might be wondering what each one does, so here are the answers:
comments.php
Places the avatar within your comments page. If you include this, when you hover over the image the users profile pops up.
<?php if (function_exists(’cp_comment_user_image’)) echo cp_comment_user_image(); ?>
This is a link to the users profile. By default, it displays ‘Who am I?’
<?php if (function_exists(’cp_comment_profile_link’)) echo cp_comment_profile_link(); ?>
This displays the rating system for comments.
<?php if (function_exists(’cp_comment_footer_content’)) echo cp_comment_footer_content(); ?>
single.php
This displays the ratings of your posts.
<?php if (function_exists(’cp_post_ratingbar’)) echo cp_post_ratingbar();?>
index.php
This displays the authors image with a popup to their profile.
<?php if (function_exists(’cp_post_author_image’)) echo cp_post_author_image(the_author());?>
This is a link to the authors profile using the authors name. A popup as usual is displayed.
<?php if (function_exists(’cp_post_author_link’)) echo cp_post_author_link();?>
This displays the rating of for each post on the index page.
<?php if (function_exists(’cp_post_ratingbar’)) echo cp_post_ratingbar();?>
To manually add the Red Carpet widget:
<li>
<?php
include(’/wp-content/plugins/sezwho/cpratecomments.php’);
if(function_exists(’widget_sezwho_rc’))
widget_sezwho_rc();
?>
</li>
Written: Jul 16, 2008
Tags: comments, howto, sezwho, wordpress
Christina
July 16, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
I think that this hook might actually be a good thing…. I am just finding I don’t have as much time to drop…. I am busy commenting. You always helpful information. I am just not smart enough to do the wordpress thing! I tried… Have a great day!
Stuart
July 16, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
Thank you so much, I have been having problems since I turned the plugin on, Now you have given me something to play with tonight HEHE.
I have to say the plugin is currently very immature, it would have been better had they released it as a beta to a select group of entrecarders first as I think the development team has been overwhelmed with issues.
Ah well we will see how it goes. Once again thank you for the heads up.
Stuart
Gary R. Hess
July 16, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
I agree. Although SezWho has been around for a long time, their WP plugin is very, very lacking. You would think that since WordPress is so popular that they would make it a top priority.
BizGiftGuru
July 17, 2008 @ 5:17 am
I have problems with many other plugins, but this one installed easy. I did the automatic install and had no problems …
The problems came later with another plugin when I upgraded the Wordpress to 2.6 but that is all different story
dew
July 17, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
Yeah they make the how to pages too hidden. I had to use that same page and found it in my history when I was installing.
I’m trying to get involved in the SezWho forums and try to give them as many suggestions as I can. I really like this service, and I’m really glad Entrecard teamed up with them!
Eric - InfiniteWebProfit
July 17, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
In my blogger blog, installing the SezWho widget had no problem.
It’s now up and running smoothly.
SezWho and Entrecard partnership I think is great. Our comment section now will be getting more good quality related comments to the post.
Comment section on our blogs plays also a single-important role, which is its interactivity with each other.
As I quote from Entrecard “It is the secret, the KEY to a blog’s success. It is the secret of Comments.”
Pandu Cari Duit
July 18, 2008 @ 6:39 am
I can’t find how to change the default SezWho badge. I saw many blogs using simple and small badge, Any idea where or how to change this badge?
Nishadha
July 18, 2008 @ 7:10 am
I also went for the manual installation , my reason being the default added code does no pass the valid XHTML tests. Also if your Wordpress template have avatars pre installed the comments might look messy with two images.
Linda
July 18, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Hi,
How do you manually install the cpbadge widget?
Thank you.
Gary R. Hess
July 18, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
For whatever reason SezWho was giving tons of themes the run-around. Some have stated that the problem was fixed now though. I hope that is true.
Gary R. Hess
July 18, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
No idea, really. I haven’t seen any material on it.
Gary R. Hess
July 18, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
Yep, that was actually my original reasons as well on http://blog.poemofquotes.com The invalid code made it look, very, very weird.
Gary R. Hess
July 18, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
No clue. I haven’t seen anything on the badge, only the red carpet.
laketrees
July 18, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
very informative post Gary !!
I hope someone comes up with similiar advice for blogger as I am starting to gnash my teeth with the presentation….
Linda P. Morton
July 18, 2008 @ 11:05 pm
Think you for this helpful post. I printed it to help my tech guy do the installation, and he found it helpful.
Joy
July 19, 2008 @ 1:32 am
This is what I’m looking for. I’ve already spent a lot of time to figure out SezWho in my WP blog but unsuccessful. I’ll try this thank one thank you.
Ian
July 19, 2008 @ 3:51 am
I haven’t decided whether I want this on my blog yet. I’m inclined to wait and see what other people have to say after using it for a while. I’m not a great believer in rating posts and comments - don’t see it as a particularly useful thing to do.
Atniz
July 19, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
Wow.. Luckily, I don’t have to go trough this.. The plugin just work fine.
Kuldeep
July 24, 2008 @ 5:54 am
Please find the instructions on how to customize the badge widget on http://sezwho.com/install_wp_d.php#detailed. If you search for “Badge” keyword on this page, you will find it. In the recent versions of WP, they have moved this inside “Design” link, go to Design => Widgets and you will find the badge widget here. Add the widget and then give the email address of the person you want to view the badge for.
Alternatively, you can log onto SezWho console at http://sezwho.com/login.php and click on “Get Badge” link here. A popup will give you a script markup which you can paste anywhere (even the place where SezWho is not installed like your website which is not a blog).
Hope this helps,
Kuldeep